HI I agree. The 800 MHz spec was all I could find. That's the only spec that Google seems to know about.
Back before some point like mid 2001, there was a different spec on these boxes. They went down to much lower frequencies. That information is still preserved in the repair manual. Unfortunately, it does not give a full detail set of specifications for the earlier box. The boxes Amtronix is / was selling have the "old" firmware and modules in them. They will go to the old wider frequency range. Bob On Feb 1, 2010, at 10:18 PM, [email protected] wrote: > If goggle HP 8285a spec, you will get HP spec which say this unit is 800 > Mhz up. The 8920, 8921, 8025 will go down to ham freq. > > Regards, > > Dr. Joseph G. Palsa P.E. > Director, Sales & Marketing > Clary Corporation > Phone: 888-442-5279 > Phone: 804-674-0364 > Fax: 804-674-0714 > Cell: 804-350-2665 > [email protected] > [email protected] > [email protected] > [email protected] > > This e-mail (including any attachments) is intended only for the use of > the > individual or entity named above and may contain privileged, proprietary, > or > confidential information. The information may also contain technical data > subject to export control laws. > > > In a message dated 2/1/2010 8:42:56 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] > writes: > > Hi > > The big question in my mind about these is how well they do below 30 MHz. > Until I know I can trust them it down there, I'm not selling very much > stuff. > > I have yet to find a data sheet from before 2000 when they shipped with > the sub-800 MHz stuff enabled. I get the impression that the E8285's never > quite did as well below 30 MHz as the 8920's do. > > Bob > > > On Feb 1, 2010, at 7:29 PM, Don Latham wrote: > >> Hi Bob. Display shows use, definitely, but I can see info over the whole >> tube. I have a couple of things to do before I can start the learning >> curve, but am looking forward to using it. >> I'll have a bunch of test stuff for sale if this thing works out ;-) >> Don >> >> Bob Camp >>> Hi >>> >>> I *suspect* that any size that was common in 2003 will be ok. I have no >>> basis for that claim. That likely will limit you to 2 gig and down. >>> >>> Each time I called Amtronix, Rick answered on the first ring. It's >>> definitely someplace I would recommend dealing with. >>> >>> How's the display on your unit? That sees to be the weakness of a lot of >>> test gear these days. >>> >>> Can't wait to measure -100 dbc/Hz phase noise with mine :) .... >>> >>> Bob >>> >>> >>> On Feb 1, 2010, at 5:34 PM, Don Latham wrote: >>> >>>> Just bought one last week. As advertised, came with a cal and checkout >>>> sheet. BTW, cost another $150 to have manuals printed out. But, I'm > old >>>> fashioned and have a hard time using manuals onscreen... >>>> I also got the feeling (phone order) that I can call Amtronix and at >>>> least >>>> reach a Real Person who will talk to me. >>>> I think the E8285A will replace at least three present instruments with >>>> better, once I master Instrument Basic :-). >>>> Does anyone know which low-cost PCMCIA memory card will work? They're > on >>>> Epay for as little as $10 >>>> Don >>>> >>>> Bob Camp >>>>> Hi >>>>> >>>>> I do believe the last (or maybe next to last) of the Amtronix > E8285A's >>>>> is >>>>> now on it's way to a basement in Pennsylvania. If anybody else here is >>>>> looking for one, I'd sure call Rick pretty quick. >>>>> >>>>> Bob >>>>> >>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] > On >>>>> Behalf Of John Ackermann N8UR >>>>> Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 4:14 PM >>>>> To: [email protected]; Discussion of precise time and frequency >>>>> measurement >>>>> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Test Equipment >>>>> >>>>> If RF measurement is your bag, and you're able to spend a couple of > $K >>>>> (actually, <$2K if what I've seen recently holds), consider a >>>>> communications service monitor like the HP >>>>> 8920A/8920B/8921/8924/8935/E8285 (all pretty much the same thing). >>>>> >>>>> You get an RF generator, RF power meter, RX frequency meter and >>>>> modulation analyzer, audio generator, audio analyzer, digital > o'scope, >>>>> and in most units a spectrum analyzer (many have a tracking generator, >>>>> too) in one box. And I've probably forgotten a few things. If you > get >>>>> one with spec analyzer and tracking generator, there's software that >>>>> lets you do swept insertion/return loss and cable fault finding. >>>>> >>>>> None of its capabilities are as good as those of a dedicated box >>>>> performing a single function, but they're good enough for the vast >>>>> majority of uses. An 8920 was the first significant piece of test > gear >>>>> I bought, and if I ever have to sell out, it'll be the last one to go. >>>>> >>>>> The prices came down a lot when Lucent surplused hundreds (thousands?) >>>>> of them from their portable and cell phone production lines. I saw an >>>>> 8935 with spec an, fully functional (as far as I could tell) for about >>>>> $1500 this summer. >>>>> >>>>> A guy who sells and services a lot of these boxes is Rick at >>>>> http://www.amtronix.com -- that web site will give you lots of info >>>>> about the various versions and options. (I just noticed he has some >>>>> Agilent 8285As as a "hobbyist special" with spec an and tracking >>>>> generator for $650. That looks like a deal.) >>>>> >>>>> John >>>>> ---- >>>>> [email protected] said the following on 01/21/2010 03:43 PM: >>>>>> Just that John, I'm looking to setup a general purpose lab. I'd lean >>>>> towards RF type stuff since I'm a HAM. >>>>>> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T >>>>>> >>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>> From: "J. Forster" <[email protected]> >>>>>> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:22:11 >>>>>> To: <[email protected]>; Discussion of precise time and frequency >>>>> measurement<[email protected]> >>>>>> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Test Equipment >>>>>> >>>>>> I made the mistake of setting up a purpose-built lab once, and soon >>>>>> discovered to do most things, you really need at least a basic > general >>>>>> purpose lab. >>>>>> >>>>>> The only exception is, I suppose, if you are going to repair a >>>>>> specific >>>>>> instrument and do nothing else. >>>>>> >>>>>> Also, as others have pointed out, you really need to define what are >>>>>> your >>>>>> area(s) of interest. Specialized gear gets $$$ pretty quickly. >>>>>> >>>>>> -John >>>>>> >>>>>> ==================== >>>>>> >>>>>>> John, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> That sounds like asking what is the best vehicle for you to buy. If >>>>>>> you >>>>> do >>>>>>> not know what you want to do with it, I am not sure we can help you >>>>>>> all >>>>>>> that much. However, if you have a specific objective, I am sure you >>>>>>> will >>>>>>> get a lot of valuable information here. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> You have a (good) analog scope, you may want a power supply or two, > a >>>>>>> soldering iron and maybe a desoldering station if you do surface >>>>>>> mount. >>>>>>> You also want a good hand-held multimeter. Some sort of signal or >>>>> function >>>>>>> generator may be useful too. These vary widely depending on > frequency >>>>>>> range and features. There is no good single answer to any of these >>>>>>> questions without knowing more about what you do with it. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Many of us on this list have more than one of pretty much > everything >>>>>>> (I >>>>> am >>>>>>> guilty of that too) to reflect the fact that no single instrument is >>>>>>> universal, with possibly one exception: my favorite hand held DMM is >>>>>>> a >>>>>>> Fluke 8060A, but I am sure some people will have another favorite :) >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Don't start spending what little money you have until you know what >>>>>>> you >>>>>>> need. If you just need to spend money, may I interest you in a >>>>>>> wonderful >>>>>>> business opportunity in Nigeria? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Didier KO4BB >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> ------------------------ Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless thingy >>>>>>> while >>>>>>> I >>>>>>> do other things... >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>>> From: John Foege <[email protected]> >>>>>>> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:35:22 >>>>>>> To: Discussion of precise time and frequency >>>>>>> measurement<[email protected]> >>>>>>> Subject: [time-nuts] Test Equipment >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I realize that this e-mail is somewhat off topic, however, I also >>>>>>> believe that I will get some of the best answers from the members of >>>>>>> this list: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I have recently started to build an electronics lab, and am > currently >>>>>>> trying to acquire test and general equipment for my little basement >>>>>>> workshop of horrors. So far, being on a limited budget, I have >>>>>>> acquired a Tek 2465A in good working order, a Fluke 1953A counter, >>>>>>> and >>>>>>> my little gem (ok not quite so little) HP5345A with the 4-ghz freq >>>>>>> converter plugin w/ opt 11 & 12. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I'd just like to ask everyone what they would be, if they were in > my >>>>>>> shoes, attempting to acquire. Unforunately, however, I am just out > of >>>>>>> engineering school and not working with much of a budget here. I'd >>>>>>> kill to have all the fancy gear some of you nuts have. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I'd really love a DSO instead of the Tek 2465A I have. I'd kill for > a >>>>>>> good spectrum analyzer or VNA etc. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Any suggestions on what I should acquire and/or suggestions for >>>>>>> economical equipment that I should make that is a must have? I am a >>>>>>> good DIYer when it comes to building equipment, so often I attempt > to >>>>>>> build that which I cannot afford. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I appreciate everyone's' opinions in advance. Thank you. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Sincerely, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> John Foege >>>>>>> KB1FSX >>>>>>> starving-engineer! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >>>>>>> To unsubscribe, go to >>>>>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >>>>>>> and follow the instructions there. >>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >>>>>>> To unsubscribe, go to >>>>>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >>>>>>> and follow the instructions there. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >>>>>> To unsubscribe, go to >>>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >>>>>> and follow the instructions there. >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >>>>>> To unsubscribe, go to >>>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >>>>>> and follow the instructions there. >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >>>>> To unsubscribe, go to >>>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >>>>> and follow the instructions there. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >>>>> To unsubscribe, go to >>>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >>>>> and follow the instructions there. >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Dr. Don Latham AJ7LL >>>> Six Mile Systems LLP >>>> 17850 Six Mile Road >>>> POB 134 >>>> Huson, MT, 59846 >>>> VOX 406-626-4304 >>>> www.lightningforensics.com >>>> www.sixmilesystems.com >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >>>> To unsubscribe, go to >>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >>>> and follow the instructions there. >>>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >>> To unsubscribe, go to >>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >>> and follow the instructions there. >>> >> >> >> -- >> Dr. Don Latham AJ7LL >> Six Mile Systems LLP >> 17850 Six Mile Road >> POB 134 >> Huson, MT, 59846 >> VOX 406-626-4304 >> www.lightningforensics.com >> www.sixmilesystems.com >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >> To unsubscribe, go to > https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >> and follow the instructions there. >> > > > _______________________________________________ > time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] > To unsubscribe, go to > https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts > and follow the instructions there. > > > _______________________________________________ > time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] > To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts > and follow the instructions there. > _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
